ECHO April 2016

1

April Edition 2016 Volume 3(2) Table of Contents Message from Metropolitan ..................................... 2

Honouring and Farewell to

Editorial ........................................................................ 4

Rt. Revd Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius,

Message from Archbishop of Canterbury .............. 5

Diocesan Episcopa

Rt. Revd Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius - A Leadership worth Imitating.......................................... 8 Theodosius Thirumeni - A Bishop for our times ........ 10 Mission at the Frontier: The Ministry of Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius ................................... 12

The COMPE Executive Committee President: The Rt. Revd. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Vice President: Revd. Dr. Thomas Philips Secretary: Mr. P.M.Mathew Treasurer: Mr. Jaffey Chacko

The Fellowship of Mar Theodosius ............................ 14 Reflections on Mar Theodosius ................................. 15

Editorial Board of the Mar Thoma Echo

Mar Theodosius - An Immense Legacy ...................... 18

Editorial Director: Dr. Zac Varghese Chief Editor: Revd. Jose Punamadam Mr. Sherry Mathews Mr. Oommen Abraham Mrs. Geena Ajay

Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius ................ 20 The Christian Priest Today ......................................... 22 Mar Theodosius – A Bishop with a Different Vision .. 26 Goodbye to Four clergy from Europe Region ............ 28 News........................................................................... 29 Foundation Courses for Church Treasurers 2016 ... 29 Workshops for Church Treasurers 2016 ................. 29

For private circulation only Disclaimer: The views published in this journal are those of its authors. Editors or the COMPE do not endorse the contents or views expressed and they are not liable for the contents or views in any form.

Send your articles- compe.echo@gmail.com Message from Metropolitan

2

3

Editorial Changes and Challenges This issue of the ECHO is a farewell edition to remember the ministry of Theodosius Thirumeni, and for thanking God for everything that he has done for the Diocese of North America and Europe. It is also for praying individually and collectively to God for empowering him for the ministry again in India. It is a time of changes and challenges both for Thirumeni and for the members of the Diocese of North America and Europe.

Change is rarely easy and it is often costly; it often requires great courage and an inner God-given strength. An amazing truth about our lives is that we are caught up in the bigger purposes of God; our lives are part of the bigger picture: our place, colour, line, shape, texture, light, value, and emphasis on the canvas is for God to decide; we may even be a microdot, but even as a microdot or as a grain of sand we have a purpose in His design for us. For God to do everything for us as we desire ‘right now’ just wouldn’t work. Other things often have to fall into place first before things can become clear to us. In the end we have to face the fact that for now, we only know in part (1 Corinthians 13:12). Some people love change, others hate it and hang on to status quo. Some changes come out of the blue; other changes are entirely predictable or slow to come about. But anyway, we can’t ignore it. Good organisations put effort into forecasting and planning; wiser ones patiently wait to know God’s plans. God never starts from the unknown. Patriarchs of the Old Testaments had to wait for long periods for realising God’s Promises to them. The book of Joshua is first and foremost a historical account of how God kept His promise to bring his people into the Promised Land, but it has much to say to us today. It is meant to be a means of encouragement to Christians, so that they do not miss out on all that God means them to have.

Although Joshua is speaking of military battles,

we can apply the principles by which God worked there to the spiritual battles we face today. We do not have arms and ammunitions or trumpets in a literal sense to fight these battles individually or collectively, and this realisation should be the beginning to approach God for His involvement in every aspect of our lives. We should start from our weakness or emptiness and God’s abundant grace.

St. Bernard said: “If you want to be a channel, you must first be a reservoir.” This is indeed one of the important challenges facing churches today.

Many fundamental aspects of ‘faith and order’ are questioned today.

Before we interpret and propagate our faith, we must first possess it. In our earlier history, those who stood witness to their faith were those who had the faith in abundance; they encountered suffering and volunteered martyrdom for expressing their faith.

Now we see a gap between what we preach and what we do. There is a perceptible attitude of indifference, an attitude of anything will do. There is also a tendency to move into a sophisticated attitude of attaining individualistic form of spirituality, the weakening of faith expressions through the lack of real Christian fellowship, parish life, and a decline in religious practices.

This results in a total disengagement in transmitting or infusing faith to younger generations; there is lack of covenantal relationships between generations. As a result theological understanding of our faith is lagging behind cultural developments; we are no longer able to communicate within the cultural pluralism of our young people. Sometimes church is like the proverbial ostrich which buries its head in the sand and deludes itself that these problems do not exist. Thirumeni, on the other hand, understood this need and tried his very best in bringing the right kind of clergy for our parishes, and organise many conferences and conversations to address these issues facing our parishes of this Diocese.

However, we should realise the historical truth that the growth of the early church or our own church after the reformation of 1836 was not created by priests and bishops but rather by laymen and women who were caught up by the reformation spirit, the gospel and God-given faith; they had that all important reservoir of faith. Laity will have to play an important role in the ongoing reformation and developing the Mar Thoma community in Europe and outlive the narrow parish- based loyalties.

4

Various articles in this issue reflect on how God used Thirumeni for building His church in this vast Diocese. In his quiet and reflective ways, he saw the needs and addressed them imaginatively for God’s glory. The Editorial Board thanks all contributors to this issue. God’s purpose for His church does not stop with this assignment, it continues with Thirumeni to new territories and new challenges. Thirumeni came to this Diocese seven years ago, he saw and conquered hearts and minds of our people and led them to a glorious future. However, as some wise person once said, ‘Not until the looms are silent, and the shuttles cease to fly will God unroll the pattern and show the reason why.’ Therefore, let us continue the work of weaving the amazing tapestry of life according to God’s amazing design and keep looms running and shuttles flying for the work in hand.

problems. The experiences that he gathered in the Diocese will stand him in good stead when the call comes for him one day to assume the mantle of the Metropolitan. During the last three years Thirumeni had to face some health-related issues, but Thirumeni trusted in the sufficiency of God’s abundant grace to carry on the ministry with great success. He was available day and night to address the issues raised by clergy and laity.

The Mar Thoma community in Europe thank God for Thirumeni’s ministry. May God’s name be glorified through the Episcopal ministry of Theodosius Thirumeni. We offer our good wishes and prayers.

ECHO itself is a creation of Thirumeni, as a part of the decentralisation of the Diocese; he gave us COMPE first and then the Mar Thoma ECHO, a space for expressing our identity, views, and reporting our activities. His messages for the Mar Thoma Community in Europe were meaningful and uplifting; he highlighted challenges facing this region and encouraged us to face the challenges for new forms of liturgy and ministry for the needs of children and young people.

In the festschrift volume, in honour of Thirumeni – edited by Revd Dr. MJ Joseph, late Zacharias Thirumeni used an expression about Thirumeni, ‘the best is yet to be’; this is our expectation and appreciation too for Theodosius Thirumeni. We have witnessed amazing development in the Diocese such as decentralisation of administration through ‘Regional Activity Centres’, empowering women and young people, neighbourhood mission, development of lay leadership and many more. The world-wide Mar Thoma Communion is facing many changes and challenges as alluded to earlier on. Theodosius Thirumeni is well endowed to tackle these

“Farewell, farewell the heart that lives alone Housed in a dream, at distance from the kind!”

William Wordsworth

Message from Archbishop of Canterbury

5

6

7

Rt. Revd Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius - A Leadership worth Imitating Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese, New York First of all let me thank the Editorial Board of the ECHO for giving me an opportunity to note down some of my reflections about the exemplary leadership of Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Thirumeni in the Diocese of North America and Europe for the last seven years.

Even though we knew each other, it was only after coming to the USA, in 2009 that I got a chance to closely associate with Thirumeni and work under him in the Diocese. It was an enriching experience.

A Bishop True to His Calling: In the eastern tradition, a bishop is a sanyasi, a celibate. Celibacy means chastity in thought, word and deed under all conditions. Pope John Paul II has said that the vow of celibacy is a matter of keeping one’s word to Christ and the Church, and a duty and a proof of the priest’s inner maturity; it is the expression of his personal integrity. A bishop has many roles to play such as spiritual father, teacher, shepherd of the shepherds and administrator. He practices what he preaches. He lives a simple life and his needs are limited. He doesn’t teach for money, fame, or influence, but to impart eternal knowledge. These are quite true in the case of Theodosius Thirumeni.

One of the main factors which help us to live a disciplined life is the environment in our homes and the training we get there in our childhood.

Being born and brought up as the son of an army medical doctor who was a devout Christian, Thirumeni could grow in an environment of discipline, prayer and worship. It helped Thirumeni to have a deep faith and strong commitment to God and to choose Christian ministry as his vocation.

Watchful eyes and Listening ears: Even though Thirumeni may appear to be reserved, he is a keen observer. His eyes are watchful and if there is a need or if people are in distress Thirumeni responds very positively. He has listening ears and a loving heart for his people and he prays and works for their redemption. His responses to natural calamities, refugee crisis, etc. are praiseworthy. Realizing the lack of basic amenities for the residents of ‘Colonia Mar Thoma’ in Mexico, Thirumeni took steps to provide for their needs. To lift the people from poverty and malnutrition, the ‘Manna Project’ was introduced whereby nutritious food and other essentials are given. The residents are encouraged to improve their hygiene and to find jobs.

Educational help is given to children in the campus. So, now we have a doctor, engineer, paramedical staff, etc., from among the residents.

Thirumeni felt the need that the Church should live according to its motto, ’Lighted to Lighten’.

So he encourages the parishes to start Neighbourhood Mission and to be actively involved in helping the poor and the marginalized.

Steward of Time:

Thirumeni knows the value of time and makes the maximum use of it. Laziness and procrastination are not in his agenda. Thirumeni spends most of the time within the Diocese and makes it a point to visit as many parishes as possible every year.

He has to travel frequently from one continent to the other and is in different time zones almost every week. He plans every detail well ahead of time. Every moment is utilized meticulously. Only when he goes to India for important Synods or Mandalam and Maramon Convention, for a few days that he visits parishes outside the Diocese on a Sunday.

8

Moving ahead of Time: He love books, buys them and has a good collection of books. He encourages achens to read and buy books and be relevant to the times that we live. He makes use of the modern techniques in his ministry. The sermon points, messages, orders of worship for special occasions, etc. are communicated through digital media with the help of IT Fellowship. In one of his books Thrirumeni says, “Living the normal life with a sense of commitment with God is alien to many people in this era”. So to bring the people back to God and to love the word of God Thirumeni introduced the ‘Word for the Day’ program through which thousands of people read and meditate on the word of God online. The program follows the Church calendar, which makes it more meaningful and relevant.

In order to get the young generation involved in the local parish, the Altar Boys and Covenant Girls programme was introduced. LEAD classes, DVD’s and other materials are used to teach about the faith and practices of the Church. Realizing the difficulties of the younger generation in following the liturgy in Malayalam, the ‘Order of Worship for Divine Service, Holy Qurbana and Other Sacraments & Rites’ in English were published. These books are well accepted and used by other dioceses too. The formation of the Cross Way Congregation in Dallas is a new step to prevent the Mar Thoma youth from going to nondenominational churches and help them to follow our faith practices and to stay loyal to the Church. Recently, the Holy Communion liturgy was translated to Spanish and now it is followed in our service in the Mexican mission field.

active as in the past. So steps to start Senior Fellowship units were taken to keep them involved in the local parish. Thirumeni exhorts members to give more representation to women and young people in parish committees. His vision helped the formation of’ Young Family Fellowship’.

Steps were taken to plan and implement Regional Projects through ‘Regional Activity Committees’.

The formation of COMPE is an important step in this direction.

In order to help the citizen clergy to undergo advanced theological training, a scholarship fund was instituted.

Transparency and Integrity: He is impartial in his dealings and does not show any favouritism. When a case is brought before Thirumeni, he won’t jump quickly to any conclusion. He will go through the details thoroughly before making his decision. He lives a simple life and avoids luxury. He wants to be transparent in his financial dealings. So every penny is properly accounted for.

Let us thank God for the leadership and guidance we got from Thirumeni and wish him well in the days ahead.

“Everything that lives, lives not alone, nor for itself.”

William Blake

Thirumeni is a lover of nature. He has a well maintained vegetable garden in Sinai Centre at New York. He helps in preparing the land, planting, manuring and weeding. He encourages achens and parishioners to grow vegetable gardens. The ‘Going Green Project’ was introduced during Thirumeni’s Episcopal Jubilee in 2013 to motivate people to keep the environment clean.

Thirumeni is well aware of the struggle the early settlers had to undergo and the sacrifices they made in establishing parishes and finding places of worship. Now they are retired and cannot be 9

Theodosius Thirumeni - A Bishop for our times Thampy Kurian, Boston, USA* “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skilful hand.” This verse from Psalm 78 applies very well to Theodosius Thirumeni.

Is Thirumeni a quiet person? Some people say he is limited in his talking. But if asked about his vegetable garden, his face brightens and the quiet Thirumeni will share his wealth of gardening knowledge. We can see his expertise each summer at the Sinai Centre vegetable garden, captured in photos in the January Messenger. One “padavelanga” in a picture is as tall as Achen’s daughter. It is very clear that Thirumeni has green fingers. His green initiative led to planting trees in various church grounds. I believe that people who love nature also love their professions. This is very true in the case of our Thirumeni. Last year he visited 60 out of 72 parishes and four out of seven congregations in our diocese. During visits, he meets with various committees and members of different age groups, engaging in creative conversations. We have been blessed by Thirumeni’s thought-provoking sermons and communications with our members.

It was a great pleasure and privilege to have Thirumeni as our diocesan bishop for the past seven years. We experienced tremendous growth during these years and we are grateful for his service. Though late Zacharias Thirumeni formed our diocese, Theodosius Thirumeni built up its formal structure. Being the son of a military doctor, he shepherded the church with good discipline.

Thirumeni has a heart for the youth. At the youth leadership conference hosted by our Boston parish in January 2015, I observed Thirumeni’ s interaction with our youth, not only giving spiritual guidance, but instilling in them the Godgiven responsibility of leading the Mar Thoma Church through 21st century. Thirumeni always tries to engrave in the minds of our youth that they are called to be missionaries in our church and in our community.

Many have written about Thirumeni in the January 2016 Messenger, a quarterly publication of our diocese. Over and over they convey his incredible passion to make our diocese its best, and his deep-seated belief is that the diocese can make a positive impact for the world-wide Mar Thoma Church and that good leadership can make members stronger in all aspects. The changes he made were timely and important.

I was looking through the photos in a section of fond reflections in our January Messenger. The first is of the reception of Thirumeni at Kennedy Airport in 2009. It is amazing how seven years have gone by so quickly. In that time, he has done an excellent job leading the Diocese of North America and Europe, with its 72 parishes, seven congregations and 8,478 registered members. His modern, progressive and visionary style of management of the dioceses was a good fit for the current times.

At the closing of this youth program on Sunday, January 4, 2015, history was made when for the first time a female youth was chosen to assist at Communion service in the Madhbaha. This was in answer to the long-standing question of why women are not allowed to assist in the Mar Thoma Church. I am glad that Thirumeni took the responsibility for our church to move with the changing times and accommodate the new ideas of our younger generation. We want to keep the younger generation in our faith and culture. The Boston parish will therefore go down in the history of Mar Thoma Church for this reason.

Another of Thirumeni’s initiative is the Altar Boys and Covenant Girls. The Boston parish started with three Altar Boys and three Covenant Girls from the youth. Now that number has grown to 14 youths. This has helped the youth become more interested and involved in our church.

10

Thirumeni was instrumental in getting six second-generation council members elected to the current diocesan council. These six secondgeneration members have been given significant responsibilities in building up the future of our diocese. He has given them immersive, experimental learning opportunities that advance their leadership by putting them in real-world settings and requiring them to integrate their ideas. Examples include initiating the Layperson Education and Development (LEAD) program and standardizing the curriculum for youth leadership conferences. The recent translation of our liturgy to Spanish, approved by the Episcopal Synod, is one of the results of these initiatives.

The youths also play a major role in running our diocesan mission programs under Thirumeni’s leadership.

Thirumeni is a very responsive person, a quality I really admire. You will get an immediate reply to any text or email message sent to him, wherever he is. This comes from his love, care, and concern for people.

identifies and fosters talents among Achens and lay members.

Thirumeni is a philanthropist. He gives away his income for various causes. He established an endowment fund of Rs. 2,464,400 in the name of Episcopal Silver Jubilee Fund– 2014. The interest from this is to be used for higher education of Mar Thoma clergy. Last year Thirumeni also gave a large sum to Dharma Jyothi Seminary in Delhi Diocese.

Theodosius Thirumeni will be remembered as a caring bishop who made progressive changes for the growth and better future of our diocese. I will remember him as a smiling bishop, a quality he says he acquired after coming to America.

As he moves on to his new assignment, I pray that God continue to use him in amazing ways for His glory. * Mr. Thampy Kurian is the Sabha Council member (2014-2017) and he is a businessman and a philanthropist.

Thirumeni is a good listener. On my many visits to Sinai Centre Thirumeni, even with his busy schedule, found time to talk to me. If it is mealtime, he always insisted on us being served food. (Of course this was more work for Achen and Kochamma.)

Thirumeni is a true leader, serving our church with true dedication. He also served as a member on the governing board of National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, represented our diocese in the Canadian Council of Churches and in Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. He has made significant contributions to these organizations.

“But what is freedom? Rightly understood, A universal licence to be good.”

Hartley Coleridge

Thirumeni anticipated the needed growth for our dioceses and implemented the changes. For example, Regional Action Centres (RACs) were formed to decentralize the programs of our diocese. I was fortunate to experience his leadership in working with him as Sabha Council and Mandalam member, as treasurer for the Northeast RAC and the 2015 Family Conference, and in the Vaidika selection committee of this diocese. With Thirumeni’s initiative we were able to select a candidate for priesthood last year. He

11

Mission at the Frontier: The Ministry of Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Jesudas M. Athyal, Boston, USA

parishes and congregations were formed as a result of the mission initiative of the Church. The North American and European context, on the other hand, provided him with ample opportunities to locate the Church in the context of the global Christian map, and also explore contextual forms of Christian mission. This period also provided Thirumeni with the opportunity to strengthen the Church’s ecumenical relations at the global level. As he prepares to take over the responsibility of the Mumbai diocese which is a mix of urban metropolitan areas and rural villages in Western India, we can be certain that he will be the right person for the right ministry at the right place.

In the backdrop of Theodosius Thirumeni’s mission and ministry, this short article will address his vision of relevant patterns of Christian witness in our times.

As Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, the senior Episcopa of the Mar Church, completes seven years of fruitful ministry in the Diocese of North America and Europe and leaves the Northern hemisphere to take charge of yet another diocese outside Kerala, the immediate thought that comes to one’s mind is that his Episcopal ministry can be described as mission at the frontier. Practically during the whole of his episcopal service of the last twenty six years, he has served in dioceses far removed from the Central Travancore belt, the traditional base of the Mar Thoma Church. As a bishop among the socially and economically weaker sections of North Kerala and South Travancore, Theodosius Thirumeni focused on programmes aimed at the holistic development of the total community. He subsequently moved outside Kerala. He described the Chennai – Bangalore Diocese where he served as a “mission diocese” because, except for the urban metropolitan areas there, practically all the

In the book, ‘Churching the Diaspora, Discipling the Families (Tiruvalla: CSS, 2013)’ Mar Theodosius deals with the topic human migration and the challenges of this for the Christian Diasporic communities. He reminds us that it is important to rethink our understanding of the migration process, to understand new forms of mobility and integration, particularly when people live in the midst of transnational communities with multiple identities. As a bishop of the Mar Thoma Church, he specifically addresses the challenges before his own Church.

His concern is to look for ways to respond to the imminent questions of how to set the goal of reaching out to the Marthomites in order to equip them to adhere to the positive aspects of their tradition and culture even as they live in a different geographical and cultural context.

According to Mar Theodosius, in the twenty first century as the Mar Thoma Church is becoming well established outside its traditional stronghold of Kerala, the challenges and possibilities that we face needs to provide the context for our discussions. The argument that we will accept the educational and professional opportunities of the West but will reject its cultural and social aspects is totally untenable. The younger generation is unlikely to be swayed by such piecemeal and selfserving approaches to the Western life! The fact is that the migration to the West brought irreversible and fundamental social changes 12

which are being consolidated with every passing generation. And the traditional support structures of India – the extended family ties and proximity to the church and pastors – are no longer available for us in the diaspora. In his address at the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam last year, Theodosius Thirumeni stated: “Change is a reality and that is to be accepted. The traditional living space in a family set up has changed. The traditional ordering has been shattered. A new domestic space is emerging.”

When our people migrated out of Kerala, we brought with us our values and lifestyle as well. In particular, Indians in the West are generally known to self-segregate into linguistic and caste associations. Marriage alliances outside the denomination and ethnic community are generally frowned upon. Even occasions such as family conferences and youth conferences are seen by some as places to facilitate matchmaking without disrupting the caste codes. As George Zachariah put it, “The traditional family values of the Indian Churches and the patriarchal theology of American Christian Right groups provide theological sanction to patriarchy among the Indian Christian Diaspora in the US. Hierarchy, patriarchy, and casteism are ingrained in the DNA of the Indian Diaspora, and people faithfully internalize them and transmit them with religious zeal.”

According to Mar Theodosius, today we face questions that concern our very own identity: on the one hand, the meaning and relevance of the term “Syrian” as part of the identity of the Church and on the other, the Kerala-oriented administrative and ecclesiastical structures of the Church. We know that the dominant Christians of Kerala are called “Syrian” primarily because they follow the Syriac rite in religious services.

However, the caste-connotations of this usage are unmistakable. While it is true that the term “Syrian Christians” is popularly used in a sociological sense, it is also important to note that the Mar Thoma Church has consciously been struggling to overcome ‘the upper-caste connotation’ of the term. The very principle of Reformation that led to the formation of the Church involved a commitment to mission and outreach which were understood by the Church as transcending the barriers of caste, race and language. There is a long history to justify such a

commitment. The mission work of the Mar Thoma Church among the Dalits and the other marginalized communities for over a century, both within Kerala and outside the state, resulted in tens of thousands of people from non-Syrian backgrounds accepting the Christian faith. It was clear that the vision of the gospel prompted the Church to reach out to people beyond its traditional geographical and cultural comfort zones. More specifically, the commitment of the Mar Thoma Church to review its Syrian heritage emerged from a concern to remain true to the spirit of Reformation that led to the formation of the Church. In the book, Churching the Diaspora, Discipling the Families, Geevarghese Mar Theodosius challenges the popular notion that the church is an ethnic community. He warns us of the danger of clannishness that can erode the spirit of the original Reformation. According to him, when a community withdraws itself and lives like a caste or communitarian group, they are making the Church insulated and isolated and thereby taking away from the spirit of reformation.

Theodosius Thirumeni repeatedly returns to the question, is the ethos of the church conducive to the evolution of local expressions of faith and witness? What should be the language, culture and the very identity of the church in the diaspora? Will the diaspora communities ever become the local communities? It is in wrestling with these questions that we seek relevant patterns of Christian ministry in our times. Today we are experiencing the reality that the traditional and prevalent patterns of ministry have become largely irrelevant to the changing needs and context of the people. An average Achen is unable to enter into the life of his parishioners because he is not trained to do so. While the world around us has changed drastically, our ministerial training has hardly changed thus leading to the irrelevance of not only the Christian ministry but also the church. People are disinterested not merely because the liturgy is boring but because they don't find any relevance in what is said in the church.

One reason for the alienation of the people is that the geographical parishes have become radically different in the diaspora. In Kerala, our forefathers and foremothers would listen to the ringing of the church bell heralding the beginning 13

of the worship service and they would walk to the church located in their neighbourhood. The church and the parishioners shared the same community. The situation in the diaspora is drastically different as the lives of the people are far removed from the location of their sanctuaries and Achens. The members of our Boston parish are spread across four states! Under such circumstances, our traditional notions of congregational life and pastoral care will need to undergo radical changes. Theodosius Thirumeni believes that today we need the vision of alternative ministries. He recognizes the reality that along with the ministry of the ordained clergy, the ministry of the laity too must be recognized, and that the priest should relate himself/herself to the lay people who are deeply involved in the world, in the events of the world.

He is convinced that the clergy and the laity together should be able to review and revise our traditions. It is only when our practices are questioned that they become meaningful and relevant.

Mar Theodosius makes a unique contribution by helping us understand the imperative link between the heritage of the Mar Thoma Church and the globalized context where it is placed today. He points to how the positive aspects of the ancestral faith and culture of our people can translate in order to address the challenges of the West so that these values become intertwined with the local cultures and practices, leading to the evolution of a synthesized tradition relevant for our times. His reading covers not only Christian literature but also current academic discussions on migration, locality and the evolution of diasporic communities. As Thirumeni moves on to a new context, we can be certain that he will continue to meaningfully relate his vision in addressing the challenges and possibilities of the society where he is placed. We wish him all the best and God’s blessings.

“It is almost the definition of a gentleman to say that he is the one who never inflicts pain.”

Cardinal Newman

The Fellowship of Mar Theodosius Rev Abraham Kuruvilla, Princeton, USA It was a cold winter night of December. I and my wife were in Princeton probably not enjoying as much as we used to enjoy Christmas. We were all alone at Princeton seminary. Definitely we had family around but the greatest gift of being an achen is to have the fellowship of your church, i.e., the members, or the achens and their family, or the bishop. We missed this fellowship. Amidst this void that we were feeling we checked our mail box. We had received a Christmas greeting from Theodosius Thirumeni with a cheque to help us.

The joy was not in getting the cheque but in the fellowship that was expressed by this gesture of Thirumeni. It was a gesture of love, care, and concern that is characteristic of the Church. This is the fellowship that we and all genuine member of the Church crave for. Thirumeni was an example of this fellowship. It is a fellowship in action.

My acquaintance with Theodosius Thirumeni have been little, but it has being more so in the recent two years. I have always known Thirumeni as an “iron man.” Resolute and

credible in what he does. When I first came here and met Thirumeni, one of the first opinions he asked me was about the youths from the United States coming for Theological studies. He had a vision of at least 15 youths coming for the ministry in the next 10 years. Some people are looked upon as visionary either by sheer luck or by their calculated attempts to achieve a particular good for the larger community in which they stand. Thirumeni comes in the latter category. This vision of having 15 youths from this Diocese starts with the initiative of “altar boys and covenant girls.” I believe that this initiative of Thirumeni systematically builds up the young minds of our Church in their love to God and Church. This is compounded by Thirumeni’s attitude of reaching out to the youths in their own 14

way, on their own terms. Oh, don’t get me wrong.

It does not mean that he says “yes” to whatever the youths have to say. Thirumeni’s is a strict disciplinarian approach, but nevertheless, reaching out in love and compassion in the way he talks to them, relates to them, reaches out to them. For example, I have never seen Thirumeni smile so much as when he is with the youths of this Diocese.

In this smile there is the pain of helping the youths and people of this Diocese find themselves amidst revolving identities of being a Malayalee, an Indian American and also an American. It covers different cultures, languages, peers and friends, different worship patterns, faith challenges etc. Thirumeni’s smile is that smile that continues to smile amidst facing the challenges with his flock. Thirumeni’s sustained efforts towards educating the diaspora community about their identity and challenges are evident in his study of that topic in this Diocese over the past seven years. This Diocese has seen the evolution of youths from mere spectators to leaders thanks to the opportunity provided by Thirumeni for the youths at various levels to preach, to lead, to take bible studies, to lead Sunday school and VBS ministry etc. This is very risky for a shepherd to venture into. But hey, Jesus entrusted His Gospel to few unlearned and reckless bunch of people and the rest is history.

It is this essence of trust in the Spirit’s leading that was reflected in Thirumeni’s effort to renew the liturgy in terms of making it more musical. This was another brave effort by Thirumeni, which took into consideration the future of this Diocese. I end this short reminiscence by remembering a moment when Thirumeni put his hands on my shoulder and asked me, “do you want to be part of the family conference?” I had no means to be part of the conference as I was a student. Those words were the words of fellowship. It is a fellowship in action. It was a privilege to be a part of it.

Reflections on Mar Theodosius Rev. Dennis Abraham, USA*

Our Diocese has been blessed with the servant leadership of His Grace, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa.

Thirumeni began his ministry in this Diocese in January 2009. This diocese has gone to greater heights, amidst the various cultural, contextual, and global challenges faced by the church, particularly here in North America & Europe.

Thirumeni’s ministry has not only had an impact on the Mar Thoma Church, but also on the universal church as a whole. In this article, I would like to highlight a few aspects of Thirumeni’s ministry.

Pastoral Ministry & Spirituality Thirumeni has deep love and care for the people of God. When Thirumeni visits the parishes, he spends time with the clergy, office bearers, members of the various organizations, and the worshipping community as a whole.

During various Episcopal visits, I have seen Thirumeni visit the sick and pray for them. He has also visited areas where people have been affected by natural disasters. He also cares for the poor and needy.

Thirumeni excels in theological reflection.

This is well exemplified in his sermons, which are simple and clear, yet profound. Sermons are carefully and prayerfully prepared, with much care & seriousness, in advance. Thirumeni posts his Sunday sermon outline on the Diocese’s Facebook pages weekly, for the spiritual nurturing of all. Each Sunday, Thirumeni preaches a fresh sermon, based on the contemporary malaise and spiritual needs of the flock.

On a Diocesan level, Thirumeni has initiated the revision of the language of the Holy Qurbana liturgy in English, along with the release of e-newsletters, e-devotions (CEF), and the release of publications & DVD’s which aim to 15

strengthen the spiritual foundation of the faithful, communicating through information technology.

Thirumeni emphasizes the need for basic theological study on the part of the lay, and the development of LEAD testifies to this fact.

The Pastor of Pastors Thirumeni has been a Spiritual father for the clergy of the church. I only got to know Thirumeni after I was ordained in 2011. By the grace of God, I got the privilege to be ordained by Thirumeni, along with Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa as a Kasseesa of the Mar Thoma Church. Since then, I have gain new insight about pastoral ministry. Thirumeni has advised me on various matters during my time serving in this Diocese. For the clergy serving in this diocese, we can look up to Thirumeni for advice on any matter. Thirumeni’s answers to our questions and advice for our concerns are direct, clear, and a result of much thought and prayer. The clergy conferences we have had under the leadership of Thirumeni (regional / diocesan), are filled with various lectures and workshops which enable us to have a critical reflection of our present ministry, and foster the development of a deep vision for the future of the ministry, particularly here in this Diocese. Thirumeni encourages us to read on a regular basis. Thirumeni is a scholar, and he encourages the clergy to engage in academic scholarship in order to broaden the horizon of their pastoral ministry. He encourages us to be active beyond the parish, especially in the ecumenical sphere, and to have a wider vision about our pastoral ministry. Thirumeni is active in the ecumenical sphere, and as a result, the Mar Thoma Church has had a greater presence and bond with many other churches, particularly in USA, Canada & Europe.

Thirumeni’s concern about the ministry of the clergy serving in this Diocese is inspiring. We now have orientation programs for clergy joining this Diocese in Kerala, in the month of February, and in June, after the clergy have joined the Diocese. These are initiatives to provide a smooth and successful transition to the ministry here.

Administration Our Thirumeni is well known for his administration.

Thirumeni’s administrative capacity is unique in that there is a systematic approach to his work and ministry. All tasks are

completed on time, no matter how late. I remember at times, Thirumeni’s email from the office or Blackberry arrives late at night or early in the morning. Thirumeni is working and responding to emails on the road, at the airport, or even in the plane. Thirumeni’s travel is intense.

He crosses time zones regularly. However, he is still up to date with all matters. This systematic and focused approach has resulted in efficiency when it comes to Diocesan matters. This is important as there is such a demand and high workload at the Sinai Mar Thoma Center in New York. His decision making is extraordinary, which is always preceded by sharp thinking and prayerful meditation. Thirumeni holds the church constitution in high regard, and decisions are made in the best interest of the church; even if it challenges the status quo, tradition, or popularity.

The RAC (Regional Activity Committee) is in its infancy, but is a clear example of how Thirumeni wants the mission of the Diocese to be prevalent even on the local community and parishes. This move emphasizes the need of the parishes to own the church, even on the local level, through outreach, witness, and mission.

Historical Moments in the Diocese Thirumeni has led this Diocese through its Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Thirumeni emphasized that it was not only a time of celebration, but of reflection; looking into the future of the church. He coined the term “Beyond the Diaspora,” reminding us that we are now a part of this land, and our mission and vision much be oriented in such a way, being able to share the gospel to the people in this soil, which is our Christian responsibility. The conversation is not on our existence as a Diaspora community, and to think beyond that identity.

The Altar Boys & Covenant Girls ministry started in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of North America & Europe of the Mar Thoma Church. The program is a vision of our Diocesan Bishop. The goal of this ministry is to encourage our children and youths to (a) learn more about our church, faith, heritage, tradition, (b) to grow spiritually, and (c) to be well equipped to be a leader in the church. The vision and goal of this ministry is to encourage, build up and develop future leaders and mentors in the church, and to be strong in their Christian faith & witness.

This is also preparing them for them to be mentors, and to lead in bible studies in the 16

colleges where they attend. The ministry has been well received and implemented in many of the parishes, and has helped the younger generation to develop an ecclesiastical belongingness.

Youth Generation I truly believe that one of Thirumeni’s greatest strengths was to establish a great dialogue and relationship with the younger generation. Ministering with Thirumeni in the Diocesan Youth Fellowship, I understand the time Thirumeni takes out of his schedule to spend with youths / children. During the days of many of the various conferences, Thirumeni blocks his schedule and makes it a point to be there, even though there is limited time. From Q & A at conferences to barbecues, from town hall meetings to lunch time at the conferences; they have all shown how Thirumeni is ready to listen and attend to the concerns of the youth. The youths have nicknamed Thirumeni as “Theo,” and they consider him as their own bishop. We know the youth are the present and future of the church. Thirumeni’s concerns about the future of the church, communicated through his messages and dialogue with the youth have built a stronger bond between the youth and the diocese, and the church as a whole.

Through the DYF, many things have been worked through and implemented in the youth ministry in the diocese due to Thirumeni’s vision.

Thirumeni highlights the importance of more “home-grown Achens,” and the need for youth from this diocese to take up the call for God’s ministry in the church. Because of Thirumeni’s initiative, the Episcopal synod is now permitting youths from this Diocese, who have God’s call, and who are interested in ministry, to be able to study at synod-approved seminaries, here in this land. This is a landmark decision and shows the movement of the church in the present.

The Diocese has also seen a growth in the youth ministry. The development of the Youth Conference & Leadership Conference is quite immense. Youths from all over the Diocese are now regularly attending these conferences.

Thirumeni harbours youth leadership. At one of the Leadership Conferences, Thirumeni stressed the importance of being an active leader in the parish, as opposed to being passive. The start of the Crossway Mar Thoma Congregation in Dallas speaks volumes about the younger generation’s desire to lead in the church and to reach out to the

local community. It further speaks about the Mar Thoma Church’s positive and creative response to the needs of the younger generation.

Mission Theodosius Thirumeni is not only a man of vision when it comes to spirituality or ministry; he also has a deep love for mission. The mission work of the Diocese (Native American Mission, Mexico mission, Neighbourhood mission, & India mission) has developed well during the past seven years. Through Native American mission, we can see the increased involvement of the church in ministering to Native Americans in Oklahoma, Alabama, and relief work in Louisiana through VBS programs, mentoring, work camps, etc. In Mexico mission, we can see progress and increased presence of our church, especially through the Manna project, visits, VBS, etc. The dedication of the Jubilee Chapel is a big step towards the formal organization of the worshipping community in Mexico. The translation of the Holy Qurbana service into Malayalam was his vision, as he took the challenges of linguistic barrier into consideration.

Neighbourhood mission thrived during Thirumeni’s tenure, and we can see the increased participations of churches in local mission & ministry in the local community, and the beginning of the Diocese’s initiative in urban mission.

Thirumeni does not employ conventional methods for ministry all the time. Instead, he deeply studies the needs of each mission field, and gives advice and makes decisions according to the needs of each particular field. Thirumeni reminds us of the fact that mission is beyond the geographic, cultural, racial, boundaries.

Diocesan Council I consider it a great privilege to serve with Thirumeni through the Diocesan Council, and to work with Thirumeni with regard to the mission and ministry of the Diocese. The council has been a learning experience from me. It has enabled me to understand the ministry and witness of the Diocese as a whole, and has given me a privilege to lead in some of the missions & ministry work of the Diocese. The experiences through the Diocesan Council are invaluable. Thirumeni is well prepared for all meetings, and he expects the same from all Council members. His continued persistence and commitment amidst some 17

physical limitations is inspiring. Thirumeni is organized, prepared, meticulous, and does much thinking and prayer, before taking any decision.

The name Theodosius is derived from the Greek language, which means “giving to God.” Truly this name befits Thirumeni, as he has fully committed his life to the Lord, and continues to give to the Lord through his life, ministry, and mission, through the church, and to humanity.

Let us thank God for Thirumeni’s fruitful ministry here in this diocese for the past 7 years.

May God bless Thirumeni as he ministers in a new diocese, and continues to lead the church and society in the days to come.

* Youth Chaplain Southeast Region & Diocesan Council Member

“If all the good people were clever, And all the clever people were good, The world would be nicer than ever We thought that it possible could.

But somehow, ‘tis seldom or never The two hit it off as they should; The good are so harsh to the clever, The clever so rude to the good!”

Elizabeth Wordsworth

Mar Theodosius - An Immense Legacy Dr. George Jacob, New Jersey, USA*

It is a great honour to write an article about our beloved Theodosius Thirumeni in the Mar Thoma ECHO journal. First of all let us thank God for the Mar Thoma Church in North America & Europe, and for the selfless pioneering Bishops, clergy and parishioners who worked tirelessly to establish the parishes within this diocese and various missions.

We are very fortunate to have had our former leaders, who by their devoted spiritual and sacrificial labour laid a strong foundation for this diocese. In January 2009, we had the privilege of having Theodosius Thirumeni join this extraordinary group, as our resident Bishop. Our Bishops have the task of handling many of the obstacles that arise in our diocese. Theodosius Thirumeni is a man of action with a vision of where he wants to lead our church. The foundation of his being is rooted in the soil of his own traditional church, while at the same time having a global outlook for the future. Our Mar Thoma Diocese is comprised of not only the immigrant members but also their second & third generations. This creates a lot of challenges to deal with, especially the culture shift as folks arrive from Kerala. When we think about the future of the diocese 25 years from now, a couple of issues come to mind. Personally, I have been living in the United States since 1970, and have been following the traditions and worship format of the Mar Thoma Church. However, I have witnessed our younger generations finding it difficult to connect with these same traditional worship formats. We have to think seriously about the transition to the new generation 18

especially as fewer immigrants take leadership in the evolving churches. Thirumeni once said the following, “A large majority of our Achens are from Kerala and some of them encounter challenges posed by the culture shock. Many of them lack adequate technical, cultural, and communication skills.” Our Thirumeni is leading the efforts to solve diminishing attendance from our second & third generations.

I had the opportunity to work with Theodosius Thirumeni during my time as a Sabha council member of North America & Europe from 20112014. On many occasions, I engaged in wonderful conversations with Thirumeni on various subjects. He is a great listener and his responses are always thought provoking and enlightening.

In 2014, Thirumeni asked me to present a resolution at the Sabha Council meeting requesting to print the updated version of the Sabha constitution in English, in order to help the new generation take up the administrative responsibilities in our parish and diocese. It was also recommended that the Mandalam reports and Metropolitan’s message be published in English, so that the youngsters can follow along with what’s going on in the Church. With the support of our Thirumeni, I was also able to present a resolution before the Sabha Council and Mandalam to establish the third Sunday in November of every year as a Diaspora Sunday, A day to give thanks to God for providing us the World Wide Diaspora community.

Theodosius Thirumeni leads a devotional and prayerful life. Thirumeni’s life has been an inspiration to many and his messages are deep in biblical knowledge and reflect the love of Jesus Christ. Thirumeni is a good scholar, a vibrant leader and an eloquent speaker. Thirumeni’s biblical and spiritual knowledge have proved to be beneficial to the society and his church members.

As a spiritual leader, Thirumeni always encourages the parishes to continue to grow and fulfil its true potential as a faithful community. He challenges the congregation to look towards the future and take the necessary steps to cater for the younger generations. Thirumeni’s vision for the youth of the diocese is that they be transformed by the love of Christ so they can shoulder the responsibilities of leading the church. His works didn’t just stop with sharing his vision. He has helped them build organizations, inspired

movements, and pushed the fellowship towards new technological and professional groups in the church.

Being young at heart, Theodosius Thirumeni motivates the youths of our church in community related activities. He said “The church is an expression of God’s Covenantal grace. The very nature of the church demands renewal. It is the reforming church that expresses her life and dynamism through her mission and ministry.” He encourages our members of the diocese to make it a point to attend the conferences which allows fellowship in studying the Bible and experiencing the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Theodosius Thirumeni has been instrumental in setting up a theological program for the clergy originating from the diocese. He sees possibilities in every crisis. Thirumeni is also an ecumenical theologian, deeply interested in interfaith concerns of the church. The Mar Thoma Church has been dynamically involved in the sociocultural settings of North America and Europe under his leadership. He always takes tremendous care to establish good relationships with other denominations. These initiatives have opened up new dialogue leading to mutual growth and better understanding of the culture and values between denominations.

Theodosius Thirumeni is a good administrator who strictly follows the Mar Thoma Church constitution and his decisions are always of clarity and well thought-out plans. Thirumeni’s systematic approach to the issues brings people to the point of action, not passiveness. His leadership and administrative capacity is outstanding and commendable. Whenever Thirumeni has been in crucial or difficult situations, he has exhibited the most diplomatic behaviour. He has resolved many issues without much dissent among the people involved, making a collective decision in favour for the betterment of the church. Once he chaired a public meeting where there was a complete division among the people and a multitude of problems amongst them. He listened to both sides very carefully, answering all the questions with wisdom and understanding and then came to a solution which was agreeable for all. His actions and decisions always take into account the bigger picture, keeping in mind the benefits to the whole church 19

and diocese. What’s truly impressive is the lasting truce he creates after such sessions between the parishioners.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius

Theodosius Thirumeni is known as the IT Thirumeni. He is always trying to incorporate the latest technologies available for the betterment and improvement of diocese. It is our Thirumeni’s aspiration that inspired the development of a video conference system for exchanging communication between clergy, council members, etc. Thirumeni also pushed for the development of a blog for daily meditations, knowing fully well the power of social engagement amongst our youths.

Professor Titus Mathew, Calgary, Canada

At the end of December 2015, our Theodosius Thirumeni completed his tenure in the Diocese of North America & Europe. After seven years of diligent and selfless service to this diocese, Theodosius Thirumeni is leaving this diocese in April 2016 to take up his new assignment as the Diocesan Bishop of the Bombay Diocese. I take this opportunity to wish and pray for our beloved Thirumeni to have a long period of Episcopal Ministry in God’s vineyard. May God continue to elevate his ministry.

At the same time, we welcome our newly appointed Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos to this diocese. May God Almighty guide and strengthen him to continue the great work that Theodosius Thirumeni had begun. *Dr. George Jacob of St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, New Jersey, was a member the Sabha Council (2011-2014).

The Mar Thoma Church in North America and Europe has become well established. It had outstanding leadership in the people, who served as bishops, priests and lay leaders. Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius is the third resident

bishop of the diocese serving from January 2009 to the end of 2015. These were years of growth and consolidation of parishes in United States, Canada and England, now numbering over eighty.

We have acquired Churches, associated buildings and land in many cities. The membership has grown to more than eight thousand families.

Organizations such as Sunday school, Youth Fellowship, Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelistic Association, Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom, Young Family Fellowship and Seniors Fellowships have been established virtually in every parish and are functioning very well. After completing seven years of efficient administrative and pastoral service in our diocese Thirumeni is preparing to take up his new assignment in India shortly.

Thirumeni used to visit us in Calgary from time to time when he was a student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, from 1980 to 1984. At that period he was also the vicar of the Toronto parish as well as the priest in charge of the Mar Thoma groups in Western Canada. From the very first time I met him, I was very impressed by his loyalty and commitment to our Church.

My respect and admiration only increased over the years since he became our diocesan bishop.

The Silver Jubilee of the diocese was celebrated throughout North America and Europe in 2013.

He is leaving behind a well-organized and administered diocese. Thirumeni have mastered modern technological devises for efficient 20

administration of the diocese.

Thirumeni outlined his vision of the diocese in an article, which appeared in the January 2014 issue of the Mar Thoma Messenger, the official quarterly publication of the diocese.

A revised and shortened version of the liturgy for worship in English for both praise and worship services and Holy Qurbana has been published.

Regular publication of study materials and articles including the Mar Thoma Messenger, Besorah a monthly newsletter, and digital video discs were also part of such work undertaken. At the end of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Diocese published four books authored by Thirumeni: “Church Journeying with Christ”, “Beyond the Diaspora”, “Churching the Diaspora, Disciplining the Families” and “Focus on the Word”, a series of bible studies. The first two books give a very good portrait of the diocese and the third is an ‘encyclical’.

Annual leadership conferences under the auspices of Lay-Person Education and Development (LEAD), family conferences and zonal conferences of different associated groups were held every year. Missionary activities in four areas which include work in Matamoros, Mexico, work among the Native Americans in Oklahoma, New Orleans and Alabama, mission work in the neighbourhood of our parishes in USA, Canada and Europe and mission assistance to various mission fields in India were also undertaken. A diocesan website with online devotions, a Facebook page, video conferencing and social media websites were also made available to enhance communications.

From the above list of activities it is obvious that Thirumeni had a very successful and profound ministry. The secret of that successful ministry is nothing but his personality itself. He is a person of prayer, humility and self- discipline. He works hard, starting his day at 5 AM and not going to sleep until 11 PM or when the day’s work is done, whichever comes last. He prepares for meetings and for every gatherings, large or small, well ahead of time. He is a voracious reader and naturally a good scholar. He is a keen observer and lover of nature and has a passion for gardening. He uses technology effectively to manage the affairs of the diocese and to stay in touch with people. Those who have worked

closely with him admiration for him.

have

great

respect

and

Thirumeni’s ministry is comprehensive and very broad based. In his previous dioceses he was engaged in development work as part of missionary work. He has special interest in education of the poor. He has initiated many projects to help the poor. In North America he has extended the missionary activities emphasizing the neighbourhood mission for every parish. Thirumeni has a very good grasp of the state of the diocesan affairs and has clear views of what challenges it is facing in the immediate future. He has taken several initiatives to make the church life and affairs more meaning full for the younger generation and enhance their participation. Thirumeni advocates the use of English in our worship services for the benefit of younger members. He introduced the concept of altar boys and covenant girls to encourage young people to get more involved.

Thirumeni has a loyalty and dedication to Mar Thoma Church, which is unparalleled. He has a clear vision about our diocese, our Faith and loyalty to the Church. He thinks our members should develop a passion for the Church; church life is essential for a person’s life and religious community. Church should make its pulpits more powerful. The liturgy should be amended to eliminate unnecessary repetitions and incorporate contemporary prayers, which are meaningful and relevant for the worshipers. There should be more emphasis on our responsibilities to our neighbours and should have an active neighbourhood mission. Bible study, education about environment and involvements in ecumenical activities should be encouraged in our members In the span of seven years as Diocesan Episcopa, Thirumeni has transformed the diocese.

Through his systematic planning and personal supervision he has impacted all areas of ministry.

Thirumeni has made new strides in the mission of the Church through his direct involvement and initiatives. He is truly a Bishop of great vision, loyalty and commitment. It is my prayer and wish that the Lord Almighty continues to guide and bless him with many more years of fruitful and faithful service to God, our Church and people.

21

The Christian Priest Today Dr. Zac Varghese, London [As Theodosius Thirumeni is leaving the Diocese of North America and Europe, he will be facing many changes and challenges. Challenge of priesthood is one such important challenge facing the churches everywhere. Thirumeni has been an ideal priest and bishop – an overseer of ministers and ministries in being a watchman, interpreter and a weaver. I offer this article in appreciation of Thirumeni’s ministry. May God empower Thirumeni to do great things for our church and humanity.]

Background: Some years ago, I came across a very interesting book by the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, under the title: ‘The Christian Priest Today.’ Archbishop Ramsey had a very impressive physical and an amazing spiritual presence; he is a greatly respected theologian of the 20th century. He was the 100th Archbishop (19611974), and he died in 1988. This work was considered to be the most treasured book that he ever wrote. Although the book was written in the seventies it has a timeless quality, and it is quiet relevant for us today for our faith formation and for developing both ordained and lay priesthood.

The challenge for the future: It is not in the Mar Thoma tradition to question the priesthood in our Church; its function and validity are taken for granted. However, it is well worth asking the question, what is the type of ordained ministry the Mar Thoma Church require to address the problems facing our church and particularly in its diverse Diaspora regions? But it

may be equally or even more important to find out what God requires of the priesthood in the 21 st century. There should not be any conflict between these two positions, and we should prayerfully remove any contradiction between these two requirements. The Archbishop points out that we are in trouble if we are to start thinking that the ordained ministry is an idea developed by the ecclesial authorities to run the affairs of the church smoothly.

Appointment and selection process: Although now it is a requirement to have a job description for the Mar Thoma clergy for obtaining visa and other travel documents for a posting in one of the parishes in North America, Canada and Europe, we do not take these things seriously and often are not sure what to put in such a job specification. These job descriptions are mostly about conducting worship services, prayer meetings, counselling, finance, and administration as the representative of the Diocesan bishop and the Metropolitan. However, at a deeper level in working out what God requires from a priest for his parish is totally different. The matching these two requirements are very important. It is perhaps quiet easy to compare it to the Old Testament or Apostolic models of priesthood. But we need to investigate it further in our current contexts. The life of a parish between one vicar and the next (interregnum) is a time for reflection and prayer for finding these requirements. In the Church of England, when a benefice is vacant the responsibilities normally borne by the vicar (incumbent) is transferred to the churchwardens and to the rural or area dean.

The PCC, churchwardens, archdeacon, diocesan officials and the bishop are involved in the selection and the appointment of the new priest.

The preparation of the parish profile is an important aspect in this procedure and it is the place where the requirement of parish becomes apparent to select the right person. Such an appointment often takes a very long time; this absolute and total engagement with various people in the local parish and the Diocese is of great interest and necessary in the 21st century context and for the Diaspora community.

22

Engaging the parishes in this reformation process: Whose responsibility is it to ask what a particular parish requires in the Mar Thoma Church? How do we find this out? We often assume God’s will in the process of discovering what parish needs in terms of its growth, sustainability, integrity, financial commitments and mission. Are such assumptions enough to have a meaningful ministry according to God’s requirement? The question in Micah (Micah 6: 8) of ‘What does God requires of you?’ should be in our mind and in our prayers when we wait for a new priest after every three years of their ministry in a particular parish.

Often it is a lottery; there is no measuring, cutting, matching and fitting. Parishes are never asked to provide a parish profile with their needs.

Parishes accept gracefully what is imposed upon them by the Metropolitan and the Episcopal Synod. Parishes are painfully cut down to a size and style to fit the newly appointed priest and his coat. What in fact needed at the local level ought to open up the whole theological reflection of what God require for caring for His community of believers? Should we be able to do this without pointing fingers at each other? I write this for a serious and open discussion because the future of our church depends on such honest discussions and procedural reforms.

An alternative and supporting role: It is also an appropriate moment to think about the pastoral needs of parishes in the Diaspora regions. Placing an inadequately-matched priest in a parish abroad causes problems for both the priest and his family also for the parishioners.

Therefore, it is worthwhile considering the model of ‘Non–Stipendiary Ministry (NSM)’ of the Church of England. NSMs are lay people frequently in paid secular employment as teachers, engineers, doctors, businessmen etc. on a full-time basis, but sometimes they are in parttime, self-employed, or retired; they have a short period of training before ordination and licensing as priests. They are also known as ‘SelfSupporting Ministers (SSMs).’The idea of clergy maintaining secular occupations is not a modern phenomenon. It can be argued that in the early church those who ministered maintained their livelihoods; St. Paul allegedly insisted on being a tent maker for his sustenance and was clearly a

self-supporting apostle. Archbishop Ramsey wrote: “I regard the contemporary development of a priesthood which combines a ministry of word and sacrament with employment in a secular profession not as a modern fad but as a recovery of something indubitably apostolic and primitive ...What we call our 'auxiliaries' today belong most truly to the apostolic foundation, and we may learn from them of that inner meaning of priesthood which we share with them.” It is worthwhile to think of this model in a serious way through the appointment of a small theological commission. However, there may be many hurdles to jump, and hence it is important to consider all pros and cons.

Apparent lack of a democratic administration: Such a radical change is not an easy task for an Episcopal Church like the Mar Thoma Church and the existing clergy may oppose such a move because of the constraints it may place upon them for a foreign posting. As we are a reforming church such a move may be acceptable to satisfy the pastoral needs of our people. Laity often has very little say in these things in spite of the claim of being a Church with a democratic administration. Most of the times instructions are handed down from the centre, we somehow do not appreciate the subsidiarity principle of having a real movement of views and idea from the periphery to the centre, from grassroots to the central administrative body. I have been a member of the Mandalam for twelve consecutive years and also for three years in the Diocesan Council and, therefore, have experienced, firsthand, how the lack of democracy operates. Our members have an unquestionable loyalty to our bishops and priests and therefore, generally speaking, no body effectively and creatively questions the way the Church is being managed. I have seen people arguing for hours in the debating chamber, but at the end of the day people accept the position of the hierarchy, they withdraw their motions, revolutionary proposals or critical appraisals. Though the system worked for us since reformation, it may be prudent and timely to review and consider for the sake of our future Diaspora community to have an open discussion of these issues as they may not appreciate this age-old traditional blind loyalty.

23

The essence of the Church: The Church is essentially a group of like-minded people who have something in common called the Christian faith and they get together to share it with each other and communicate it to others outside their faith community. It is important to think of it as a God-given and grace filled faith. It is a place we are invited to be, the place occupied

by Christ himself for healing the fractured world.

If we forget this fundamental reality then we are stuck with what an individual leader decides and what goes on inside his and his associates’ intentions. We should learn to forget the phrase ‘I decide’, and instead should learn to remember the phrase: ‘we decide.’ But the Church is much larger than this; it is a divine mystery under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This mystery is its strength and we should respect and maintain it.

We should hear echoes of God’s meeting with Moses and Joshua and asking them to take off their sandals in recognition of the holiness of their meeting. Right worship is the preparation God requires from the Church. Before anything else, worshipful obedience must also be our preparation for anything we propose to do in God’s name.

Being in the Church is being in the middle of God’s sacrificial atoning action, the act of Christ's giving; it is being in the tradition of the landscape of priesthood of all, the royal priesthood. We are called to celebrate a Eucharistic life on Sundays and every day of the week. This is what is given to us under ‘costly grace,’ but we are rather incompetently trying to find words and structural forms for fitting it into our daily life as a human institution. The Church is never left to reimagine itself or reshape itself according to its own priorities of the moment or based on fanciful situational ethics and popular liberal attitudes.

What does this mean for the priest today?

The person exercising that ministry has one fundamental task which breaks down into a number of different responsibilities. The fundamental task is that of announcing in word and action in the middle of the community what the community is and where it is in relation to other communities and faith groups. The priest is therefore in the business of immersing in Christ's actions: the gifts, prayers and love of human beings. In all this, we can perhaps see why and

how the Eucharist is the central identifying act of the Church. This self-giving ‘liturgy after the

liturgy’ should become the lifestyle of the priest and the parishioners.

For this to happen in the ministerial life, according to Archbishop Ramsey, the priest has to be a watchman, interpreter and a weaver.

These three functions make an ordained minister.

The point of being a watchman is that one has an opportunity of seeing what others don't see. This has two possibilities: one of seeing dangers and warning the people of the risks and safeguarding their interest; the second of seeing possibilities and encouraging the people to take risk for the sake of the Gospel. In some sense it is a prophetic role like some of the prophets of the Old Testaments. Both Habakkuk and Ezekiel used the term ‘watchman’ for their roles as prophets. This means a priest having the right information about issues affecting the community and ability to speak to congregations and age groups in languages and styles they understand. They should become a listening post to pick of vibes from within the community and without. The authority for this role should be given to them by the local community, the parish.

This local authentication is an important, but often forgotten, aspect of the priesthood; he is indeed the priest and the mediator of the community before God for the community. He should not have the attitude and arrogance that he is appointed by the bishop and he can do what he wants. Parishioners should have the absolute humility to accept the role of the priest as a watchman, a watchman of our whole moral and ethical conduct, and furthermore our relationship with each other. He should have the antenna to pick up cracks in relationships.

24

The second role is that of an interpreter.

This is a bidirectional interpretation; it is of interpreting the prevailing culture and cultural conflicts to the members of the church and to explain the Gospel teaching to the parishioners and the world outside the church. He also should have the practical theological knowledge to contextualise difficult biblical texts and make it easy for people to follow. The Christian faith is God-given and grace filled, and there is no need to make it more complicated with difficult theological constructions, incomprehensible words, Greek and Hebrew phrases, and interpretations. A simple and humble approach is the ideal one than scholarly reviews. Jesus used parables to explain many things to His audience.

A priest should be able to read the signs of the time, his parishioners’ moods and modes, whims and fancies, weaknesses and strengths. It is in this understanding that he becomes an interpreter. In this, he also has an opportunity for seeking out the capabilities and talents of his parishioners and uses them effectively as partners in his ministry.

Building this partnership is an important measure of success. In the context of conflict within the Church, the priest as the leader charged with making a particular decision should remain neutral as far as it is possible. These controversies are mostly about liturgical symbolism and language, between conservatives and liberals, between young, the senior-established people, and could even be on financial management.

Traditionalists often do not want to see any change, but young people may be interested in more vibrant singing and clapping. The priest has to remind everyone involved in such disputes of what and where they are on a particular issue in the context of the Gospel, and seek compromise through prayer and meditation. This is part and parcel of interpretative skills; it is making everyone understands the issues involved and the consequences of divisions. Most of the valuable time of priests and bishops are wasted for settling disputes or creating more disputes in the process.

Conflict resolution is an important skill to acquire.

The third role of a priest today is that of a weaver; it is a term from the industrial past as weaving is an ancient skill because it is now mostly automated and computerised. The Christian ministry is a ministry of reconciliation.

The priestly task is a making of connections at

many levels and bringing the alienated to meet each other. The priest may be connecting visions and ideas–building bridges between the gospel values and human concerns at the level of the family and community. Building or weaving relationships between people is not an easy task, one has to invest so much to weave a beautiful tapestry of relationships when so much of parish life is divided between interest groups such as Sunday school, women’s organisation, youth organisation, seniors, prayer groups, and evangelical groups and so forth. Everyone is so proud of their own little organisation, but fails to see the fragmentation it brings to the life of the parish. These are hard realties and we carry on sleep walking as if these divisions do not exist.

Whose job it is to build bridges across this to weave a real community? The one telling story is the Mar Thoma family conferences: people come together as families and then they break away as groups and they never meet together for conversations and discussions. The weaver may feel his or her integrity disappearing in the effort to create a living web of generous relationship in the middle of all these divisions. Much more seriously, we have divisions within the family life and it is not an easy area for a priest to get involved as a weaver of relationships. The question Joshua asked is relevant in this context: "Are you for us or for our enemies?" The answer was simply neither (Joshua 5:13-14). What does this neither means in the middle of our conflicts; it is indeed where we have an opportunity to see the holiness of God and His righteousness. People often only need a priest to solemnise a marriage, the rest is not up to the priest or the parish. For many the priest’s role is, as the Anglicans say, in hatching, matching and dispatching.

Weaving a community together is not an easy task; people are not inanimate fibres and hence it is a cooperative and participatory activity.

Parishioners should become willing partners in weaving a community-oriented tapestry of life in the light of the Gospel. Priest has a role as a watchman and interpreter to make the dream of weaving a community together and providing hospitality for the stranger. I am constantly reminded of an Irish proverb: “It is in the shelter of each other that people live.” When we lose each other, we lose our shelter, the world we live in.

Our familiarity of the face of Christ through the Bible, sacraments, prayers and Eucharist should enable us to see the face of Christ in others. Jesus 25

Christ is the icon of God. He is the window to the mystery and the reality of God. It is in Christ and through Christ we realise the brotherhood and sisterhood of others around us. This reality, this vision is the tapestry that we are asked to weave together as a faith community. The face of crucified and risen Christ should haunt us to this reality of an infinite responsibility for building His kingdom on the earth.

This reflection on the priesthood is mainly based on the three ideas of priesthood I borrowed from Archbishop Ramsey’s book; therefore, it is right to offer his words for concluding this short paper.

“Today the ordained priest is called to reflect the priesthood of Christ and to serve the priesthood of the people of God, and to be one of the means of grace whereby God enables the Church to be the Church.” This article is not meant to rock the foundations of the Mar Thoma church, but to stimulate and build on the rich heritage. I do hope and pray that Theodosius Thirumeni would become a great builder our church and a mentor for our people in making them understand their roles and responsibilities of the ‘royal priesthood’ of all.

“And help us, this and every day, To live more nearly as we pray” John Keeble

Mar Theodosius – A Bishop with a Different Vision Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas

Mar Theodosius rendered a sacrificial service for the Diocese of North America and Europe of the Mar Thoma Church as Diocesan Bishop for the past 7 plus years (January 2009 to March 2016).

Thirumeni dredged unknown paths and visited less frequented Samaritan wells like Mexico Mission, Native American Mission and Neighbourhood Mission and gave special consideration to the needs of the Diaspora Marthomites especially the younger generation born and brought up in this Diocese in countries like U. S. A., Canada and Europe. It is Thirumeni’s vision and dream that all large parishes should have at least two services every Sunday including an English service either Holy Communion service or Devine service to keep the youngsters in the faith journey of Mar Thoma Church and to prevent them from drifting away to nondenominational congregations. Thirumeni also approved the first congregation for second generation Marthomites in Dallas with a nontraditional name ‘Cross Way Mar Thoma Congregation’. The Diocese was fortunate to celebrate the silver jubilee of Episcopal consecration of Mar Theodosius in December 2014 after we celebrated the silver jubilee of the establishment of this Diocese in 1988.

Thirumeni is concerned when the institution of marriage is redefined by the U. S. Supreme Court recently and also about the growing tendency of questioning the existence of God and truth of the Bible. He is also concerned about the increase in the number of the 'Religious Nones' in this Diocese. Thirumeni did not build any structures for the Diocese, but he built the people especially the younger generation, which resulted in the 26

formation of Alter Boys and Covenant Girls who assist in the service including girls assisting in the Madbaha. Because of his vision half of the present Diocesan Council members are from younger generation born and brought up in this Diocese.

Thirumeni always says that it is not building the structures, but building the people and their relationship within the Church and between themselves and ultimately with our Lord that matters.

Thirumeni initiated many developmental programs during the last seven years in the Diocese, which include: The Carman property behind the Diocese with a 4 bed room house, 6 acres of property in Houston for Diocesan Sub Centre, Jubilee Chapel in 'Colonia Mar Thoma' including infra structures like running water, electricity, toilets for all 60 plus houses, planting of fruit trees, grocery shop, providing food for the poor people known as 'Manna', translating our liturgy in to Spanish for worship on the Jubilee Chapel all in Mexico Mission field and Patrick Mission project in the Native American Mission field among Choctaw Native Americans in Oklahoma are his vision about the mission of Jesus Christ and to make our church as a missional church. The above programmes came true because of his commitment and dedication to this Diocese and Mar Thoma Church. Thirumeni is very faithful to the Church and respects its leaders and did his best within the framework of our Sabha Constitution for the growth of this Diocese during his tenure here. Thirumeni’s initiative in the decentralization of authority from Diocesan centre to regional levels resulted in the formation of Regional Activity Committee (RAC) at all 8 regions of the Diocese including Council of Parishes in Europe (COMPE) in Europe. I consider it as a privilege and honour to work closely with Thirumeni during the past 7 plus years in my capacity as Diocesan Legal Counsel and in my capacity as the member of the Legal Affairs Committee (LAC) of the Diocese and also in my capacity as member of the Editorial Board of Mar Thoma Messenger and also as Editor of a section of the Festschrift Volume published in honour of Thirumeni’s Episcopal Silver Jubilee.

provisions of Sabha Constitution will surely benefit the Mar Thoma Church in the coming days. Thirumeni’s initiative and effort in publishing several books including: 'Silver Jubilee Memoir', 'Worship Order for Special Occasions', 'Order of Service for Divine Service, Holy Qurbana, other Sacraments and Rites', 'In Search of Christian Identity in Global Community', 'Beyond the Diaspora', 'Church Journeying with Christ', 'Word for the Day – Daily Meditations', by the Diocese will serve as a teaching tool and helpful to the younger generation to know about the faith, doctrine, practices of Mar Thoma Church and also addressing the issues of Diaspora Marthomites. When Thirumeni moves into the new pastures for his shepherding the ministry in the new Diocese, we wish you the best and pray that our Lord may keep you in His providence to continue the faith journey of the Mar Thoma Church. May our Lord bless you and our prayers will be there always for the grace of Jesus Christ to be showered upon you and your ministry and to continue the faith journey especially when you shepherd the folks, the faithful believers of Mar Thoma Church, entrusted to you in the new Diocese.

“Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing.”

Shakespeare

Thirumeni’s in depth knowledge of theology, organizational and administrative skills, diligence and punctuality in everything, respect for others and their opinions, and good understanding of the 27

Goodbye to Four clergy from Europe Region P. M. Mathew*

It is with a tinge of sadness we say goodbye to the following four achens and their families. They tried their best for serving the spiritual needs of the parishes and congregations in Europe. We wish them well for their continued ministry in areas to which they are transferred to. The following achens are leaving us and it is time to say farewell to them and wish them bon voyage:

It is good to realise the difficulties these achens faced when they came to a new country and faced cultural shocks, shifts, and attitudes. Let us appreciate their contributions and thank them for all their work and ministry in their respective parishes and across parishes during pulpit exchanges, centre meetings, family conferences and affairs of the COMPE. Priesthood is relational because they act on behalf of the community with the authority of the bishop, an authority given to them through a divine ordination. We need to appreciate how much our faith is strengthened by facilitating and sharing in the deep faith of the community. We thank you all for the relationships that you built and fellowship that you encouraged over the last three years.

May God, the one and only source of all blessings, fill His abundant blessing every moment of your lives. *Secretary of the Council of Mar Thoma Parishes in Europe

Revd Dr. Thomas Philips - (Sinai MTC and All Saints Peterborough) Revd P. Mathew (St. James MTC, London) Revd Vinoj Varghese ( St. Peters MTC and Hermon MTC, Midlands) Revd Jose Punamadom (St. Johns MTC, Hounslow, London) We all know quite well that the three-year-cycle of appointments and transfers create all sorts of problems for our parishes and congregations, but it is a fact we have learnt to live with since the reformation. Therefore, we need to think opportunities it may provide for new insights and new ways of tackling issues; these are opportunities for soul searching and learning from mistakes. We should really think of these as God-given opportunities for fresh thinking and greater commitments for building a cohesive Mar Thoma community in Europe. We need to learn to transcend parish loyalties and build a real Mar Thoma community and this should be our next objective.

28

News

Workshops for Church Treasurers 2016

ACAT Training

ACAT Workshops are designed to pick up where our Foundation course leaves off and go into detail about how to deal with some important issues that are frequently encountered by treasurers. The cost is £45.00 and includes all course material, refreshments and a buffet lunch. The training starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 4.00 pm.

Foundation Courses for Church Treasurers 2016

This series of Workshops will each cover three topics:  Changing Treasurers  Coping with Independent Examination  How to be an Independent Examiner [Many of our Mar Thoma parishes may have elected new trustees and accountants for 2016 by now. It is just possible that some of them may have no experience whatsoever in matters relating to the accounting procedures and requirements under the Charity Commission regulations. We very much hope that our parishes will make use the following information.]

The Foundation course gives a good overview of all the issues a treasurer might meet. Whether you are new to the role or have been in post many years, you will find much in the course to benefit you.

To book a place on any of the above courses please visit the ACAT website where you can book instantly online or download a postal booking form.

You can also request a booking form by telephoning 01246 767787. You do not have to be a member of ACAT to take part in our training.

ACAT is the national charity for treasurers of churches and Christian charities, providing training, advice and information to members.

ACAT is a Body in Association of Churches Together in England.

The cost is £45.00 and includes all course material, refreshments and a buffet lunch. The training starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 4.00 pm. These courses are always very popular and we recommend that you book early to ensure your place.

The Course will cover: The Role of the Treasurer; Budgeting; Charity Accounting; Systems & Records; VAT & LPWGS; Employment; Gift Aid & GASDS; Computer Packages; Year-end Routines; Legal & Financial Overview. Foundation Courses are primarily for treasurers of churches with an income of less than £250,000.

29